Head Coach Bruce Weber Previews TCU Matchup at Big 12 Championship
Mar 08, 2021 | Men's Basketball
The Wildcats face the Horned Frogs in the Big 12 Championship opener
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State head coach Bruce Weber met with members of the media via Zoom on Monday morning, as the No. 9 seed Wildcats prepare for their postseason matchup against No. 8 seed TCU (12-13, 5-11 Big 12) at 5:30 p.m., CT on Wednesday in the first round of the 25th annual Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
K-State (8-19, 4-14 Big 12) finished the regular season on a high note by winning 3 of its last 4 games, including a 61-56 win over Iowa State on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats continued their recent return to their defensive roots by holding the Cyclones to just 35.8 percent (19-of-53) shooting, including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, and forcing 15 turnovers. The team has held 4 of the last 5 opponents to under 60 points.
K-State enters as the tournament's No. 9 seed for the third time in program history and the first time since 2006. The Wildcats are 36-41 (.468) all-time in the Big Eight/12 Championship dating to its inception in 1977, including a 16-23 (.410) mark in the Big 12 era. The school is 0-2 as a No. 9 seed (2004, 2006) in the Big Eight/12 Championship, while it is 2-2 vs. the No. 8 seed (1977, 2004, 2006, 2019). The team is 3-1 all-time against the Horned Frogs at the Championship, including a 53-49 win in the first round last season. The two teams also met in 2015 (a 67-65 TCU win), 2018 (a 66-64 K-State overtime win) and 2019 (a 70-61 K-State win).
TCU (12-13, 5-11 Big 12) enters Wednesday's game having lost 6 of its last 7 outings, including a 76-64 setback to No. 15/16 Texas at home to end the regular season on Sunday. The Horned Frogs are led by tandem of junior R.J. Nembhard (15.9 ppg.) and freshman Mike Miles (13.8 ppg.).
HEAD COACH BRUCE WEBER
On reflecting on last year at this time...
"I don't think anyone at first knew the severity. None of us could've predicted it. Maybe we're going to shut down, but it's going to be a week or two weeks. Then it was going to be Easter. Then it's going to be Memorial Day. I don't think anyone understood the dynamics of what the pandemic has done and how it's affected so many people's' lives. At that time for us, I think it was so unknown. I try to stay informed. I watched the news and knew a little bit. We tried to keep the players focused on the game. That was the most important thing. We ended up winning the game. We went back and were excited. We had our dinner after. It's late at night since we had a late game. The coaches started watching film and talking scouting report. I went up to my room at 2 am, turned the tv on and saw the stuff with the NBA. As soon as I saw that the NBA had cancelled games and were sending people back on the bus to Utah, I knew we were going to be in trouble. It's going to be interesting if we're going to have a game. They told us that we were still going to have games but with limited or no fans. The more you listened and heard, the more you knew it was in doubt. It was an eerie feeling with that unknown. We got a text from Gene Taylor and Casey Scott, our administrators, and they said we needed to meet. They came in and said sorry, but it looks like the season is done. We had to keep everyone safe. A year later, we still have issues obviously. I'm amazed we made it through the season. We just tested now this morning. We'll have to test again tomorrow and Wednesday. We get through that game, we'll have all our games in, which I never thought would happen. Kudos to our medical staff on campus with Luke Sauber and Matt Thomason. Nothing is normal, but to our players' credit and staff and medical staff, we made it through it."
On wondering if the season would get to this point…
"When we came back in the summer, it was so limited. Three guys, masks, four guys. We couldn't let anyone in or be around them. You're afraid of the unknown. Even into the fall. There have been two or three different times where our league hit a stalemate where we had a bunch of games cancelled. I always thought there was a chance this might not go through. The NCAA needs it to happen. We all need it to happen. The schools do. The athletic departments need it to happen. They've worked very hard to give us a chance. I just hope the best teams are able to play (in the NCAA Tournament). That's the part you worry about. You saw it in the Missouri Valley Tournament. Northern Iowa had a positive and had to cancel a game. You just hope the best teams are able to move forward, so you have somewhat of a true tournament where you have a winner that should be the winner."
On what the past few weeks have meant to the team…
"For our players, I'm just really happy. All the different things we've dealt with as a staff, we've had to continue to be there for them, to help them and be positive. I kept giving them hope. I told them they're improving. If you keep doing the right things, we're going to win some games. I'm just happy they were rewarded for their diligence, their hard work, for them staying focused and never quitting. It not only helps now, but also for next season to give them a feeling. Our defense was big time on Saturday. We had shot clock possessions. It's been that way for the past two or three weeks. It gives them something to build on. You always give people hope. We're all dealing with it right now. You're hoping things are going to open up, but you don't know until more people get the vaccine. Same thing with our team, we kept giving them hope and love. Finally, they were rewarded and got some wins. I hope we have a good focus and mental state going into the game. We were together yesterday about an hour and a half. Let's do something special as we continue to finish the season and reward yourself for your hard work. You'll have a lot of time off. It's been a hard season. It's been tough on everyone. Keep coming. Keep battling and hope some special things happen."
On the depth of the Big 12…
"There's no doubt. We were talking about Oklahoma yesterday. We were talking about Ohio State in the Big Ten. I think it's just the whole country. Things haven't been normal. There is such great balance. Our league is really, really good. A few years ago, I thought all 10 could've been in the NCAA Tournament. I knew they weren't going to do that, but it was the year where we had four in the Sweet 16 and three in the Elite 8. It's similar. The depth at the end probably isn't quite there, but we have a lot of good teams. I really believe we could have multiple teams go deep in the tournament. Our coaching, the talent, the defense and the philosophies. I think it's the best conference. Obviously, we gotta back it up in the (NCAA) tournament."
On the many close games with TCU…
"I don't know. I guess it's just similar styles. I'm not sure what it is. You go through the scores recently, and they've all come down to the end. Even the game at TCU last year, it was close. It ended up 11 or 10, but going under four, it was a two-possession game. They made some free throws, and we didn't make plays down the stretch. Last year, we jumped on them in the tournament. I think we were up 25-8. They made their run, and we went back and forth. Last year, we had so many games that came down to the last four minutes. It was great for them. Mike made some big plays. It was great for our guys to finally come through. Ironically then, it was the end of the season. That game was very similar to the game at TCU this year. Back and forth, and then we made the plays at the end. Hopefully we can do that again."
On depth behind Selton and DaJuan…
"Luke (Kasubke) has been playing the four. He played the four the other day. Seryee (Lewis) would probably be the option. Depending on who they play, we could play big. They have a couple more power forwards. If they have those guys out there, we could try to go big if that's a possible option."
On what besides defense has really improved…
"We're playing way harder. It's not even close. I don't think they understood how hard they have to play. The experience and level of play in the league. They've grown with that. I know we don't score a lot of points, because we don't make shots. I really think we move the ball much better. We have possessions where we have the sticky fingers. Overall, when we have the group in there with Selton having seven assists the other day. He even had a couple that led to free throws. One rule I loved about FIBA international basketball, if they made one free throw, you get an assist. A lot of times your best passes lead to shots where they foul you underneath on layups or whatever. We move the basketball much better than we did early in the season, and that's important."
On the last win over TCU…
"We gotta defend like we did. We gotta limit their second chance points. When they beat us at our place, we got way down, came back and had it within three. They got those rebounds and second chance points, and some of the other guys really hurt us. If you look at the stats in the last game, we not only did a good job on limiting Nembhard and Miles, but we also really limited the other guys. That's something we've done a way better job. Early in the season, we had guys coming off the bench and getting career highs, guys getting 10 who average two. I think that will be a key in the game, also."
On how much better the spirits are…
"There's no doubt, they're just happy that they won. You've gotta give our guys credit. I learned a long time ago with my daughter when she played little kid soccer. Players have resilience, and they come back much better than the coaches and fans. They move forward. My daughter when she was playing soccer. They hadn't won a game all year or even scored a goal. But everytime, she'd come back and say, 'Dad, we're going to win tomorrow. Coach said we're going to win tomorrow'. Ok, I'm happy you feel good about it. To win a game, you gotta score a goal. By the end of the year, they finally won a game. As a parent, I just sat there in agony hoping a ball would go off somebody's head and into the net. They come back much faster than coaches and fans. Our guys feel better about themselves. We gave them hope. We gave them a vision. Finally that happened. Now I hope they want some more and want to keep battling into this week."
On if Antonio could come back if the team made the NCAA Tournament…
"We would just have to see how he does health wise and see how he's making progress. It's a big dream and a big goal. Craziness has happened before. Maybe we'll start making every shot. You never know. I hope so for our guys' sake. Right now, we gotta get TCU. You can't win it all unless you get TCU."
On how tough the year has been…
"Just the unknowns, every day is a challenge. It's so hard. With COVID, contact tracing and injuries. Luke Sauber and Luke Kasubke were in the training room the other day, and they called me right before practice. 'Maybe you should come down to the training room. Luke's sitting here and his foot hurts again'. I said a couple cuss words, and they all started laughing. He had a bunion on his foot. They just wanted to mess with me. I appreciate the joke, but at the moment I didn't like it. That's how it's been all year. Numb to it and make the best of it. Just keep trying to help the players. It's about the players. You've gotta give them credit. Not on the men's side, but where were women's teams that opted out. Players opted out. It has not been an easy season. They've continued to come everyday with good spirits. They made it easy on us, because they've been coachable and have improved. I don't want the season to end, because I'm watching them improve and think the best could be yet to come. Practices have been better when we have enough people. Coach Southwell had to opt out. He's hurt now, so he can't help at practice anymore. We're just plugging along trying to survive. Hopefully that will be this week. Win, survive and move on."
On the opportunity of the Big 12 Tournament for the young guys…
"It's great. Everything they've gone through this year, use this. Use every opportunity. Use everyday. There are so many unknowns and things that can happen. It's a special experience to be part of. We talked about the Kansas game where you don't have the fans. It's a special atmosphere. The Big 12 has always done a great job with the tournament and fan support. The tournament, the atmosphere and Kansas City, they're not going to get to experience that, but they are going to get the experience of being a part of the Big 12 Tournament. Hopefully they're excited about it and play at a real high level here to finish the season."
On if anyone else won't be available for the tournament…
"Not right now. We'll wait for calls this afternoon. Carlton still has had some issues with his back and knee. He actually got back into practice last Thursday for the first time since that TCU game. When Kaosi went down, I talked to Carlton during that game last week and Seryee. You've gotta be ready. Who knows? We did stick Carlton in against TCU two weeks ago. One of them might have to step in and help us and make the most of their opportunity."
On playing more small ball…
"We've done it all year. This isn't something new. Antonio was gone 21 days. Monty has been gone for a long time. We've had to deal with it off and on, so at least we've experience it. I've had to redo the offense, revamp the offense I can't tell you how many times throughout the season because of all the different guys missing. We've been here. We have some packages on small ball. We have packages with playing a little bigger. Last time we played them, Antonio was there. The first time, he was not. We played small ball that game, and at times we played big. The big thing to me is the rebounding. The key is second chance opportunities. We gotta do a good job of gang rebounding, especially in gut check times of the game."
On the week's schedule…
"We had to test this morning. We'll practice this afternoon. There are protocols for coming into town. We have to test at the hotel before we go to T-Mobile to do your shoot around. We'll do an early practice tomorrow, get on the bus and go to the hotel. The hotel is limited to just the teams. Isolate after the test, hopefully everyone is ok. Have a nice dinner and do our scouting report like always. They have a couple of gyms designated for shoot arounds on Wednesday, and then play at 5:30."
K-State (8-19, 4-14 Big 12) finished the regular season on a high note by winning 3 of its last 4 games, including a 61-56 win over Iowa State on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats continued their recent return to their defensive roots by holding the Cyclones to just 35.8 percent (19-of-53) shooting, including 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, and forcing 15 turnovers. The team has held 4 of the last 5 opponents to under 60 points.
K-State enters as the tournament's No. 9 seed for the third time in program history and the first time since 2006. The Wildcats are 36-41 (.468) all-time in the Big Eight/12 Championship dating to its inception in 1977, including a 16-23 (.410) mark in the Big 12 era. The school is 0-2 as a No. 9 seed (2004, 2006) in the Big Eight/12 Championship, while it is 2-2 vs. the No. 8 seed (1977, 2004, 2006, 2019). The team is 3-1 all-time against the Horned Frogs at the Championship, including a 53-49 win in the first round last season. The two teams also met in 2015 (a 67-65 TCU win), 2018 (a 66-64 K-State overtime win) and 2019 (a 70-61 K-State win).
TCU (12-13, 5-11 Big 12) enters Wednesday's game having lost 6 of its last 7 outings, including a 76-64 setback to No. 15/16 Texas at home to end the regular season on Sunday. The Horned Frogs are led by tandem of junior R.J. Nembhard (15.9 ppg.) and freshman Mike Miles (13.8 ppg.).
HEAD COACH BRUCE WEBER
On reflecting on last year at this time...
"I don't think anyone at first knew the severity. None of us could've predicted it. Maybe we're going to shut down, but it's going to be a week or two weeks. Then it was going to be Easter. Then it's going to be Memorial Day. I don't think anyone understood the dynamics of what the pandemic has done and how it's affected so many people's' lives. At that time for us, I think it was so unknown. I try to stay informed. I watched the news and knew a little bit. We tried to keep the players focused on the game. That was the most important thing. We ended up winning the game. We went back and were excited. We had our dinner after. It's late at night since we had a late game. The coaches started watching film and talking scouting report. I went up to my room at 2 am, turned the tv on and saw the stuff with the NBA. As soon as I saw that the NBA had cancelled games and were sending people back on the bus to Utah, I knew we were going to be in trouble. It's going to be interesting if we're going to have a game. They told us that we were still going to have games but with limited or no fans. The more you listened and heard, the more you knew it was in doubt. It was an eerie feeling with that unknown. We got a text from Gene Taylor and Casey Scott, our administrators, and they said we needed to meet. They came in and said sorry, but it looks like the season is done. We had to keep everyone safe. A year later, we still have issues obviously. I'm amazed we made it through the season. We just tested now this morning. We'll have to test again tomorrow and Wednesday. We get through that game, we'll have all our games in, which I never thought would happen. Kudos to our medical staff on campus with Luke Sauber and Matt Thomason. Nothing is normal, but to our players' credit and staff and medical staff, we made it through it."
On wondering if the season would get to this point…
"When we came back in the summer, it was so limited. Three guys, masks, four guys. We couldn't let anyone in or be around them. You're afraid of the unknown. Even into the fall. There have been two or three different times where our league hit a stalemate where we had a bunch of games cancelled. I always thought there was a chance this might not go through. The NCAA needs it to happen. We all need it to happen. The schools do. The athletic departments need it to happen. They've worked very hard to give us a chance. I just hope the best teams are able to play (in the NCAA Tournament). That's the part you worry about. You saw it in the Missouri Valley Tournament. Northern Iowa had a positive and had to cancel a game. You just hope the best teams are able to move forward, so you have somewhat of a true tournament where you have a winner that should be the winner."
On what the past few weeks have meant to the team…
"For our players, I'm just really happy. All the different things we've dealt with as a staff, we've had to continue to be there for them, to help them and be positive. I kept giving them hope. I told them they're improving. If you keep doing the right things, we're going to win some games. I'm just happy they were rewarded for their diligence, their hard work, for them staying focused and never quitting. It not only helps now, but also for next season to give them a feeling. Our defense was big time on Saturday. We had shot clock possessions. It's been that way for the past two or three weeks. It gives them something to build on. You always give people hope. We're all dealing with it right now. You're hoping things are going to open up, but you don't know until more people get the vaccine. Same thing with our team, we kept giving them hope and love. Finally, they were rewarded and got some wins. I hope we have a good focus and mental state going into the game. We were together yesterday about an hour and a half. Let's do something special as we continue to finish the season and reward yourself for your hard work. You'll have a lot of time off. It's been a hard season. It's been tough on everyone. Keep coming. Keep battling and hope some special things happen."
On the depth of the Big 12…
"There's no doubt. We were talking about Oklahoma yesterday. We were talking about Ohio State in the Big Ten. I think it's just the whole country. Things haven't been normal. There is such great balance. Our league is really, really good. A few years ago, I thought all 10 could've been in the NCAA Tournament. I knew they weren't going to do that, but it was the year where we had four in the Sweet 16 and three in the Elite 8. It's similar. The depth at the end probably isn't quite there, but we have a lot of good teams. I really believe we could have multiple teams go deep in the tournament. Our coaching, the talent, the defense and the philosophies. I think it's the best conference. Obviously, we gotta back it up in the (NCAA) tournament."
On the many close games with TCU…
"I don't know. I guess it's just similar styles. I'm not sure what it is. You go through the scores recently, and they've all come down to the end. Even the game at TCU last year, it was close. It ended up 11 or 10, but going under four, it was a two-possession game. They made some free throws, and we didn't make plays down the stretch. Last year, we jumped on them in the tournament. I think we were up 25-8. They made their run, and we went back and forth. Last year, we had so many games that came down to the last four minutes. It was great for them. Mike made some big plays. It was great for our guys to finally come through. Ironically then, it was the end of the season. That game was very similar to the game at TCU this year. Back and forth, and then we made the plays at the end. Hopefully we can do that again."
On depth behind Selton and DaJuan…
"Luke (Kasubke) has been playing the four. He played the four the other day. Seryee (Lewis) would probably be the option. Depending on who they play, we could play big. They have a couple more power forwards. If they have those guys out there, we could try to go big if that's a possible option."
On what besides defense has really improved…
"We're playing way harder. It's not even close. I don't think they understood how hard they have to play. The experience and level of play in the league. They've grown with that. I know we don't score a lot of points, because we don't make shots. I really think we move the ball much better. We have possessions where we have the sticky fingers. Overall, when we have the group in there with Selton having seven assists the other day. He even had a couple that led to free throws. One rule I loved about FIBA international basketball, if they made one free throw, you get an assist. A lot of times your best passes lead to shots where they foul you underneath on layups or whatever. We move the basketball much better than we did early in the season, and that's important."
On the last win over TCU…
"We gotta defend like we did. We gotta limit their second chance points. When they beat us at our place, we got way down, came back and had it within three. They got those rebounds and second chance points, and some of the other guys really hurt us. If you look at the stats in the last game, we not only did a good job on limiting Nembhard and Miles, but we also really limited the other guys. That's something we've done a way better job. Early in the season, we had guys coming off the bench and getting career highs, guys getting 10 who average two. I think that will be a key in the game, also."
On how much better the spirits are…
"There's no doubt, they're just happy that they won. You've gotta give our guys credit. I learned a long time ago with my daughter when she played little kid soccer. Players have resilience, and they come back much better than the coaches and fans. They move forward. My daughter when she was playing soccer. They hadn't won a game all year or even scored a goal. But everytime, she'd come back and say, 'Dad, we're going to win tomorrow. Coach said we're going to win tomorrow'. Ok, I'm happy you feel good about it. To win a game, you gotta score a goal. By the end of the year, they finally won a game. As a parent, I just sat there in agony hoping a ball would go off somebody's head and into the net. They come back much faster than coaches and fans. Our guys feel better about themselves. We gave them hope. We gave them a vision. Finally that happened. Now I hope they want some more and want to keep battling into this week."
On if Antonio could come back if the team made the NCAA Tournament…
"We would just have to see how he does health wise and see how he's making progress. It's a big dream and a big goal. Craziness has happened before. Maybe we'll start making every shot. You never know. I hope so for our guys' sake. Right now, we gotta get TCU. You can't win it all unless you get TCU."
On how tough the year has been…
"Just the unknowns, every day is a challenge. It's so hard. With COVID, contact tracing and injuries. Luke Sauber and Luke Kasubke were in the training room the other day, and they called me right before practice. 'Maybe you should come down to the training room. Luke's sitting here and his foot hurts again'. I said a couple cuss words, and they all started laughing. He had a bunion on his foot. They just wanted to mess with me. I appreciate the joke, but at the moment I didn't like it. That's how it's been all year. Numb to it and make the best of it. Just keep trying to help the players. It's about the players. You've gotta give them credit. Not on the men's side, but where were women's teams that opted out. Players opted out. It has not been an easy season. They've continued to come everyday with good spirits. They made it easy on us, because they've been coachable and have improved. I don't want the season to end, because I'm watching them improve and think the best could be yet to come. Practices have been better when we have enough people. Coach Southwell had to opt out. He's hurt now, so he can't help at practice anymore. We're just plugging along trying to survive. Hopefully that will be this week. Win, survive and move on."
On the opportunity of the Big 12 Tournament for the young guys…
"It's great. Everything they've gone through this year, use this. Use every opportunity. Use everyday. There are so many unknowns and things that can happen. It's a special experience to be part of. We talked about the Kansas game where you don't have the fans. It's a special atmosphere. The Big 12 has always done a great job with the tournament and fan support. The tournament, the atmosphere and Kansas City, they're not going to get to experience that, but they are going to get the experience of being a part of the Big 12 Tournament. Hopefully they're excited about it and play at a real high level here to finish the season."
On if anyone else won't be available for the tournament…
"Not right now. We'll wait for calls this afternoon. Carlton still has had some issues with his back and knee. He actually got back into practice last Thursday for the first time since that TCU game. When Kaosi went down, I talked to Carlton during that game last week and Seryee. You've gotta be ready. Who knows? We did stick Carlton in against TCU two weeks ago. One of them might have to step in and help us and make the most of their opportunity."
On playing more small ball…
"We've done it all year. This isn't something new. Antonio was gone 21 days. Monty has been gone for a long time. We've had to deal with it off and on, so at least we've experience it. I've had to redo the offense, revamp the offense I can't tell you how many times throughout the season because of all the different guys missing. We've been here. We have some packages on small ball. We have packages with playing a little bigger. Last time we played them, Antonio was there. The first time, he was not. We played small ball that game, and at times we played big. The big thing to me is the rebounding. The key is second chance opportunities. We gotta do a good job of gang rebounding, especially in gut check times of the game."
On the week's schedule…
"We had to test this morning. We'll practice this afternoon. There are protocols for coming into town. We have to test at the hotel before we go to T-Mobile to do your shoot around. We'll do an early practice tomorrow, get on the bus and go to the hotel. The hotel is limited to just the teams. Isolate after the test, hopefully everyone is ok. Have a nice dinner and do our scouting report like always. They have a couple of gyms designated for shoot arounds on Wednesday, and then play at 5:30."
Players Mentioned
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